How to Handle the Dreaded 'Maybe' RSVP (Without Losing Your Mind)

You've sent the invite. Half your list said yes, a few said no, and then there's that group. The maybes.

As a host, maybes are the worst. You can't plan food. You can't book the right sized venue. You're just... waiting.

Why People Say Maybe

Most of the time, it's not malicious. People genuinely don't know their schedules, or they're waiting to see if something better comes up (harsh but true), or they just forgot to update their response.

What Actually Works

**Set a deadline.** "Final headcount needed by Thursday so I can order food." Simple, clear, no drama.

**Send a reminder.** Not aggressive, just a gentle ping. "Hey! Just confirming numbers for Saturday—still able to make it?"

**Plan for 70%.** If you have 10 maybes, assume 7 will show. This has been weirdly accurate in my experience.

**Use smart tools.** Some platforms can send automatic, non-annoying reminders to maybes. Use them.

The Mindset Shift

Maybes aren't rejections. They're just people being human. The less you stress about them, the better your event planning experience will be.